Crowdfunded RPG 'Pillars of Eternity' Is Nearly Upon Us

A project from videogame’s golden age on Kickstarter will finally come to fruition in less than twenty-four hours. Obsidian Entertainment’s Pillars of Eternity may be a year behind schedule but all is forgiven now as we brace for the next big RPG.

For some, the studio is probably known for recent works such as South Park The Stick of Truth, Fallout New Vegas, and Star Wars Knights Of The Old Republic II, all of which are excellent. For others the studio’s legacy goes further, back to a time when they were called Black Isle Studios. With BioWare’s Infinity Engine they crafted the iconic Baldur’s Gate and Icewind Dale series, along with the highly-praised Planescape Torment. They’re also the ones we should thank for the first two Fallout games.

This combination of nostalgia and track record allowed Obsidian to raise over US$3.9 million back in October 2012. A game born during Kickstarter’s most prolific period, and a high-profile example at that, has to struggle with the pressure of backers’ expectations and the fate of future crowdfunding projects. There’s also the challenge of updating the cRPG genre’s interface and systems for the modern audience, without taking away its core charms.

While those in the beta may already know whether the game lives up to some heavy expectations, we do know for a fact that the game’s approach to visual treatment—by digitally painting over the assets—makes for a gorgeous outcome.

Pillars of Eternity is a party-based, isometric, fantasy cRPG that aims to build upon the legacies of past successes. It’s available for Windows, Mac, and Linux on both Steam and GOG. The former lists it for SG$45 for the base edition and already ranks it as a top seller.

Want to find out what more? Look no further than this PAX East presentation from earlier this month. In-game footage begins at the 11:32 mark.